A survey of nutrition labelling of sugar-containing foods in the north of England in 1989.
A survey of the nutrition labelling of 880 varieties of foods on sale in three stores in Newcastle upon Tyne was undertaken in May-July 1989. The foods were chosen for investigation because they contained sugars, and they were categorised into 12 types of food. Some nutritional information was given for most foods but it seldom conformed to the format suggested by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The sugars content of the foods was seldom given. Even when nutritional claims were made (e.g. 'low sugar', 'high fibre'), nutritional information was often incomplete. The three stores differed in the extent to which their own-brand products were labelled for nutrient content. Tesco products were comprehensibly labelled, while own-brand products for sale in the other two stores were not, although both stores stated their intention to introduce comprehensive nutrition labelling. Two of the three stores had, or intended to have, obligatory sugar labelling. Despite this, there were many examples of nutrition labelling which was misleading. It is concluded that nutrition labelling should be compulsory and should conform to a format which specifies sugars content.
Tyrrell
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Dental School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Rugg-Gunn
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D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004739:England; D005062:European Union; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D009749:Nutrition Surveys
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates